“He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments.” – Psalm 78:5-7 (ESV).
Forgetfulness is not intentional.
You don’t wake up in the morning with anticipation that “I hope I will forget the important things I must attend to today!”
Ministries, businesses, marriages, and individuals can quickly lose sight of “who we are” and “what we’re about.” That’s why firms and ministries have mission statements.
Vows are made between a husband and wife, not just poetic words for the wedding ceremony. We pledge these promises to our spouse, family friends, and God.
Without a regular and consistent review of our mission and vows, we quickly lose focus and forget “who we are” and “what we are to be about.”
The Psalmist Asaph understands the necessity of remembering and repeating the instructions of the LORD – for ourselves and future generations. He observes how Israel had lost sight of who they were and what they were to be about:
“For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. - Deuteronomy 7:6 (ESV)
He recognizes: There’s too much to lose if we don’t recall and re-tell the “glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done” (Ps. 78:4). Otherwise, we too will forget the important things.
Have we forgotten as well?
As a follower of Christ, his mission for me has not changed:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” – (Matthew 28:19-20.)
Remembering and consistently reviewing my mission reconnects me with the HOPE found in God.